December“When January 1st rolls around I will start.”February“I am going to start next weekend. Watch me.”March“Forget it. It’s not going to go away, so I am going to enjoy my pot of lasagna and buttered garlic bread. I’ll wait until next year.”

Sound familiar? Weight loss and exercise goals put off until the next year or until who knows when are all so common. Losing weight and/or exercise plans are not easy. The most difficult task is to initiate and execute the plan. This is especially true if our diet consists of donuts, pizza, hot dogs and so on, and then sit in front of the television frequently after eating.

Because eating is in association with socialization, comfort, and fun as well as survival, is hard to manage and maintain. Consuming food without being mindful can lead to health risks including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even eating disorders.

Diet also determines our body structure. So, if we eat as hobby and out of boredom, chances are we will be obese, and need to lose weight in order to avoid the above mentioned health risks. Having said that we still have choices. Continuing to devour pies and deserts is one, being dissatisfied with the scale, being prone to disease are others, and another one is to EXERCISE.

We don’t have to be skinny, but just healthy. Maintaining good health can be rewarding. For instance, eating fruits instead of candy for sugar can be a beneficial in weight loss and prolonged energy.

Making the decision to change our lifestyle can be done; however it is a slow process. Patience and commitment is needed. If unsure where to start, we can research information, seek a professional, or start on our own such as Stacey.

Stacey’s journey has been a tremendous success. Since a toddler she had quite of an appetite, and was a little chunky as a toddler, which disappeared as she grew into a slim child and later teenager. Then, she attended college gaining her “freshman 15.”

The weight was not significantly noticeable, yet it was the onset of her weight gain.She now missed her previous figure. Also, she second-guessed her appearance compared to small women. Thus, her diffidence and drive led her to the YMCA.

As a result, she lost fifteen pounds, but wanted to go beyond her achievement, so she sought a professional trainer and lost 25 pounds.

After the training she attempted to repeat the same regimen that her trainer taught her, but her weight returned, while she felt her time and money had been wasted, but she stayed persistent and sought two more professionals and boot camp.

Since 2014 she has lost 60 pounds and maintained her new size. Very beautiful and now confident, I was impressed with her success. I felt compelled to ask her about her successful journey:

Sonja: Did you ever think you could do it (lose weight)?Stacey: Yes - I knew I could do it.

Sonja: What was your biggest hurdle?Stacey: Being patient and consistent with eating and working out.

Sonja: Why, as beautiful as you are could not have stayed the same size? Why were you so insistent on losing weight?Stacey: No - I got serious when my cholesterol went up and I was about to have to purchase clothes in 'plus' sizes.

Sonja: What are your plans now?

Stacey: My plans now are to maintain and take my fitness and nutritional goals to the next level. I have made a lifestyle change. ￼